Topic 14 (Trenches) - conditions requiring medical treatment and the RAMC/FANY

Question 1

Describe problems with the environment in trenches and the medical conditions they may cause

Answer 1

1. Waterlogged trenches and tight boots - Trench foot
2. lice - Trench fever
3. Lack of proper Latrines - dystentery disease
4. Constant artillery attacks - shell shock
5. Freezing conditions on the front line - Frostbite

Question 2

How was trench foot treated?

Answer 2

Soldiers were ordered to urinate in their boots to soften up the leather and make the boots less tight

Question 3

How was lice treated?

Answer 3

Clothes would be hung next to stoves to kill the lice before soldiers put their clothes back on (delousing pits)

Question 4

How were dysentery diseases treated?

Answer 4

Latrines were built away from food preparation areas and away from areas were men would commonly congregate

Question 5

Name three features that were common of a bullet wound and three features that were common of an explosive wound

Answer 5

Bullet wound:

1. Gangrene
2. Broken bones
3. Extreme pain

Explosive wounds

1. Heavy bleeding
2. Blindness
3. Gangrene

Question 6

Why were deep bullet and shrapnel wounds so hard to detect and treat?

Answer 6

The high propulson of the impact of the bullet/shrapnel meant that they could be deeply imbedded into the patients body and hard to take out and detect

Question 7

Why were head injuries more of a problem in World War 1, compared to other wars?

Answer 7

• Better technology meant more accurate rifles that would hit the head precisely
• If looking over a trench, often the only part of the body exposed was the head

Question 8

Name two effects of mustard gas

Answer 8

1. Sore eyes

2. Vomiting

Question 9

Who were the RAMC and the FANY and describe their roles?

Answer 9

1. RAMC - Royal Army Medical Corps: Males who would take wounded soldiers back from the front line
2. FANY - First Aid Nursing Yeomanry: Females who would tend to soldiers away from the battlefield in field hospitals

Question 10

Describe the stages of treatment and the transport used at each stage

Answer 10

1. stretcher bearers meet casualty and give first aid
2. If wound is too severe, casualty taken to aid post
3. Casualty is assessed by professional. If bandages are needed, casualty is taken to dressing station
4. If casualty needs more medical attention, theyre taken to casualty clearing station by a field ambulance
5. At clearing station, casualties are assessed by professionals away from the front line and are given short-term treatment
6. Casualty is taken to a base hospital where long-term care can be given